Presumpscot Achieves EL Education Credential

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Presumpscot Achieves EL Education Credential

Posted on 11/08/2017

Presumpscot Elementary School has been named by the national school network EL Education as one of six schools nationwide that have received the EL Education Credential, a recognition of achieving the organization’s standards in three areas.

“The EL Education Credential marks a milestone on each school’s journey to put character and quality work side-by-side with mastery of knowledge and skills,” said Mark Conrad, Chief Schools Officer at EL Education. “Now, more than ever, our country needs models of schools that fuse academics and character and that build an ethic of service as well as grit and tenacity. Now, more than ever, we need the example set by EL Education Credentialed schools.”

Presumpscot has been a member of the EL Education (formerly Expeditionary Learning) network since 2009. EL Education is a leading K-12 nonprofit focused on raising student achievement across diverse schools and communities.

Presumpscot, whose student population of 265 reflects a richly diverse community, is dedicated to creating the conditions that help students achieve at a high level of success. Students engage in eight- to 12-week Learning Expeditions that are in-depth and interdisciplinary in nature. They require students to engage in research, use the community in authentic and meaningful ways, and demonstrate their knowledge with high quality products and services.

“Presumpscot Elementary School empowers students to become strong scholars and citizens who inspire a world of good,” said Principal Cynthia Loring. “Becoming credentialed is an affirmation of the hard work by our outstanding staff to help students master essential skills and knowledge and develop the habits of character necessary for success in life. We’re grateful to EL Education for all their support throughout this process.”

Redefining how performance is measured in K-12 education, EL Education in 2014 set requirements for schools in its network – encompassing measurements around character development and quality of student work on top of test results. EL Education defines achievement as mastery in three areas, all of which are powerfully associated with success in college and career:

• Mastery of Knowledge and Skills: Students show evidence of proficiency and deep understanding of a subject, critical thinking, the ability to communicate clearly, and application of their learning. Performance on state assessments over a period of several years is one measure.

• Character: EL Education schools establish consistent school-wide “Habits of Scholarship” (such as perseverance and responsibility), which are then tracked by students and teachers to provide evidence of growth over time.

• High-Quality Student Work: Schools present evidence showing how the quality, depth, and authenticity of student work has improved during the school’s multi-year partnership with EL Education.

Presumpscot School joins five other district and charter public schools that have received the EL Education Credential this year:

• Open World Learning Community, St Paul, MN

• Downtown Denver Expeditionary School, Denver, CO

• Four Rivers Public Charter School, Greenfield, MA

• Marathon Venture Academy, Marathon City, WI

• Fox Creek Elementary School, Highlands Ranch, CO

A total of 33 schools now have the EL Education Credential, including Portland’s Casco Bay High School and King Middle School, both of which achieved credentialed status in 2015. Below are the schools that have received the recognition in previous years:

EL Education (formerly Expeditionary Learning) creates great public schools where they are needed most, inspiring teachers and students to achieve more than they thought possible.

Created over 25 years ago through the collaboration of the Harvard Graduate School of Education and Outward Bound, EL Education’s research-based approach challenges and empowers teachers and students. The model focuses on ensuring that all students master rigorous content, develop positive character, and produce high-quality work.

EL Education transforms classrooms in thousands of schools and districts across the country through a unique combination of challenge and joy in learning. Students’ impressive results encompass high academic achievement and college readiness, pride in the mastery of complex, authentic work, and a passion and capacity to contribute to a better world.

EL Education works with all kinds of public schools: district and charter, from pre-K through 12th grade, serving populations that reflect the diversity of our country. It creates powerful resources--including its open-access literacy curriculum--provides masterful coaching and professional development, and shares a portfolio of award-winning, educator-developed materials. One reason for its success: its work is informed by decades of learning in its national network of over 150 high-achieving public schools. For more information, visit www.ELeducation.org.

PHOTO: Pictured are Presumpscot Elementary School staff and EL Education officials. Presumpscot was among newly credentialed schools honored in October at the EL Education National Conference in Chicago.